Midway Industrial Supply Acquires Contrast Equipment Company

Midway Bolster’s Regional Footprint with Acquisition of Missouri-Based Spray Finishing Systems Integrator.

MINNEAPOLIS--()--Midway Industrial Supply, Inc. (www.midwayis.com), a leading Midwestern distributor of fluid handling and spray finishing systems and equipment, today announced the acquisition of Contrast Equipment Company.

Contrast Equipment, a finishing equipment systems integrator based in Kansas City, MO, gives Midway a key strategic partner and expanded market share in the lower Midwest. The company provides in-house paint system design engineering, customer laboratory testing and full service paint finishing systems and products to manufacturing customers in Missouri, Kansas and surrounding states.

“Contrast’s reputation as a solutions-driven, liquid and powder coating system integrator, coupled with their excellent customer relationships, will enhance our company’s growth and allow us to expand into new markets,” said Patrick Hoolihan, President and CEO of Midway Industrial Supply.

Midway distributes liquid and powder electrostatic and conventional spray finishing systems and equipment for manufacturing clients across the country. Key product lines include Graco, Binks, DeVilbiss, Nordson, Ransburg and Global Finishing Systems.

The acquisition also gives Contrast the resources to grow into a larger regional player. “The decision to sell Contrast to Midway made strategic sense to our customers and employees,” said Bob Borman, Owner and President of Contrast Equipment. “The synergies created by this acquisition provide both companies with expanded business opportunities.”

Midway’s acquisition of Contrast will have little impact upon either company’s existing structure or day-to-day operations. Contrast’s employees and management team will continue to manage the operation while working closely with Midway in the integration of the two companies. Contrast will remain at its current Kansas City facility and Midway shall remain in the Twin Cities, at its existing Mounds View, MN location.

Contrast Equipment will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Midway under the name Contrast Equipment, Incorporated. Midway Industrial Supply, Inc. is owned by Generation Growth Capital (GGC), a private equity fund based in Milwaukee, WI, that invests in small businesses. GGC and Midway remain focused on continuing the strategic growth and expansion of the Midway platform.

Senior financing was provided by Anchor Bank. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Midway Industrial Supply
Midway Industrial Supply has been a leading distributor of fluid handling and spray finishing systems and equipment in the upper Midwest since 1955. The company, which is based in Minneapolis, MN, provides custom engineered solutions and product lines such as Graco, Binks, DeVilbiss, Nordson, Ransburg and Global Finishing spray booth systems. For more information, visit www.midwayis.com.

About Contrast Equipment
Contrast Equipment Company is a finishing equipment system integrator based in Kansas City, MO. The company was founded in 1923 and provides in-house paint system design and full service integrated systems utilizing their distributed product lines which include Nordson, Graco, Finishing Brands, Exel-Kremlin and Kayco Spray Booth systems. Learn more at www.contrastequipment.com.

About Generation Growth Capital Fund II, LP
Generation Growth Capital Fund II, LP is a Milwaukee-based private equity firm focusing on investments in small businesses to support ownership transition and growth opportunities. GGC recognizes the unique challenges and opportunities associated with small company investing. By partnering with solid management teams, GGC adopts a proactive, collaborative approach that builds the businesses in which they invest. Please visit www.generationgrowth.com for more information.

Contacts

On behalf of Midway Industrial Supply:
Patrick Hoolihan, President and CEO
Midway Industrial Supply
patrickhoolihan@midwayis.com | (763) 792-7135
or
On behalf of Generation Growth Capital Fund II, LP:
John Reinke, Managing Director
Generation Growth Capital, Inc.
jreinke@generationgrowth.com | (414) 291-8915

Release Summary

Midway Industrial Supply, a leading Midwestern distributor of fluid handling and spray finishing systems and equipment, today announced the acquisition of Contrast Equipment Company of Kansas City.

Contacts

On behalf of Midway Industrial Supply:
Patrick Hoolihan, President and CEO
Midway Industrial Supply
patrickhoolihan@midwayis.com | (763) 792-7135
or
On behalf of Generation Growth Capital Fund II, LP:
John Reinke, Managing Director
Generation Growth Capital, Inc.
jreinke@generationgrowth.com | (414) 291-8915